Iron Thunder
By: Avi
Summary:
Thirteen year old Tom Carroll must find a job after his father is killed fighting for the Union in the Civil War. Living in Brooklyn, New York, Tom finds work at a shipyard working on a top secret iron ship.
The ship, the Monitor is designed for one purpose...to destroy the Confederate's iron-clad ship the Merrimack. Despite doubts that people have regarding if the ship will float or not, Tom is enjoying his new job and finds the work fascinating...until he is approached by a Confederate Spy.
The 'Copperhead' propositions Tom with the lure of food and money. All Tom has to do is provide the details of the Monitor to the spy. What will Tom do? How will the Monitor fare in battle? Your reader, and hopefully you, will have to read to find out!
Teaching Tips:
1) This is a great book for fourth-grade on up. The text is easy to read, the plot is fast paced and exciting, and the characters are memorable.
2) It may be advantageous to have your students read the author's note in the back of the book first. It provides some great insight into Avi's craft without revealing any major plot points.
3) The discussion guide, located at the end of the book, can be utilized during or after reading with students. These questions are a great resource to check for comprehension and critical thinking.
Additional Resources
Student friendly site that provides photos, definitions, and additional resources about the Monitor and Merrimack.
Great resource for detailed information about the Battle of the Monitor and Merrimack.
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